A Year in Review: VCN’s 2023 Annual Report
Thanks to highly coordinated efforts and despite political headwinds, VCN — in our role as the strategic facilitator of our 150+ Network Partners — was successful in holding onto major environmental and climate policy successes from the last few years while celebrating historic investments in conservation funding through the budget.
Our Annual Report reviews Virginia Conservation Network’s work from Spring 2022 to Winter 2023. While it feels almost impossible to cover everything we worked on last year in only a few pages, we did our best to squeeze in the highlights, including:
- our strategy to advance conservation initiatives year-round,
- our policy gains and challenges through the General Assembly session and beyond,
- our Network Partner engagement events,
- and more.
As we sent this annual report to the printer, we learned of the tragic loss of our Clean Energy & Climate Justice Policy Manager, Shawn Soares, on May 4th, 2023. Shawn was committed to devoting his career to bettering the Commonwealth and was a rising star in the climate movement. We are dedicating this annual report to him and are committed to working in his honor moving forward.
Read more of our recent updates from our blog:
Inflation Reduction Act Tracker
Our Partners at EDF released an up-to-date tracker tool that records steps taken by federal agencies to implement the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Report: The Peaker Problem
Clean Energy Group and Strategen released a report examining the peaker power plant landscape in 3 major U.S. cities and their context and impact on low-income communities and communities of color.
Dozens Oppose Governor’s Appointments to the Environmental Justice Council
The Sierra Club Virginia Chapter released a statement condemning the Governor’s disregard for environmental justice measures that are mandated by law, and dozens of environmental organizations have signed on.
Report: Integrating Nature-Based Solutions & Risk Management
Engineering With Nature recently released a report that explores recommendations for incorporating nature-based solutions (NBS) into risk models, insurance coverage policies, and resilience financing.
Black In Green Conservation Career Panel Returns!
The Virginia Conservation Network partnered with BlackOak Collective to host Virginia’s 3rd annual Black In Green Career Panel, connecting young Black professionals with Black leaders in the conservation movement.
Wetland and Water Protection Resource Guide
The Biden Administration recently released a resource guide, which includes input from several federal agencies, to serve as a resource for Tribes, states, territories, local governments, private land owners, and nongovernmental organizations to advance wetland and water resource protection.